Bag suitable for carrying groceries and system comprising same

ABSTRACT

A bag comprises a body including bottom and opposing sidewalls. The walls are made from a woven fabric material. The sidewalls and the bottom wall form a grocery receiving cavity having a closed bottom end portion and an open top end portion. Sewn-in edge creases each define an edge of the body extending from the closed bottom end portion to the open top end portion and/or an edge of the body extending between the bottom wall and the sidewalls. A sewn-in pleat crease extends within a first pair of the opposing sidewalls. Skewed legs of the pleat crease extend from opposing corners of the respective one of the first pair of opposing sidewalls adjacent the closed bottom end portion and converge to an upwardly extending leg of the pleat crease. Handle holes are in a second pair of the opposing sidewalls.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosures made herein relate generally to bags that are suitable for carrying groceries and, more particularly, to reusable and non-disposable bags that are suitable for carrying groceries.

BACKGROUND

Disposable plastic and paper grocery bags are well known. Even though such paper and plastic bags can conceivably be reused for a very limited number of uses, these types of bags are generally seen and used in a manner in which they are disposable and non-reusable. Due to such plastic and paper grocery bags being not being intended or generally suitable for multiple instances of reuse, they often end up in landfills. Obviously, their disposal in landfills adversely impacts landfill ecology as well as overall environmental considerations.

Various types of grocery bags that are configured and intended for multiple instances of reuse are also well known and are referred to herein as conventional reusable grocery bags. Such conventional reusable grocery bags are typically made from fabric, whereas disposable grocery bags are made from plastic film or paper sheet material. Unlike disposable plastic and paper grocery bags, in view of conventional reusable grocery bags being made from a more durable fabric material, they can stand up to extended reuse as well as thorough cleaning or washing. Furthermore, conventional reusable grocery bags have considerably less of an adverse impact on the environment than do Disposable plastic and paper grocery bags.

While conventional reusable grocery bags are environmentally advantageous with respect to disposable plastic and paper grocery bags, such conventional reusable grocery bags are not without their shortcomings. One shortcoming is that a shopper has to find a convenient and efficient way to carry multiple bags separately, which is very inconvenient and/or less than desirable. Another shortcoming is that they are not configured in a manner that makes their storage efficient and convenient. Still another shortcoming is that they are not easily folded to allow for transport and/or storage. Yet another shortcoming is that it can be difficult to gather and carry such bags if they have carrying straps that are limp (i.e., not self supporting).

Therefore, a reusable grocery bag and/or associated system of bags that overcome drawbacks associated with conventional reusable grocery bags and disposable plastic and paper grocery bags would be advantageous, desirable and useful.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present invention can be in the form of a reusable grocery bag and/or associated system of reusable grocery bags that overcome drawbacks associated with conventional reusable grocery bags and disposable plastic and paper grocery bags. Reusable grocery bags in accordance with the present invention are advantageous and desirable because they address problems associated with plastic grocery bags and paper grocery bags. More specifically, reusable grocery bags in accordance with the present invention will reduce the number of plastic and paper grocery bags that end up in landfills, not to mention pollution and by-product waste associated with making paper and plastic grocery bags.

The present invention provides for a reusable grocery bag system that is much more efficient and convenient than conventional disposable grocery bags. Such bags and associated systems will provide shoppers with a means for making a positive difference in caring for the environment. Furthermore, such bags and associated systems eliminate the cumbersome effort of bundling up a bunch of separate conventional reusable grocery bags and finding a place to put them in their shopping cart, and then deal with a bunch of cumbersome straps (providing such bags are equipped with straps) when it is time to load and unload groceries. Accordingly, reusable grocery bags in accordance with the present invention provide a practical solution by which shoppers can positively impact the environment, ease of use, and convenient storage.

While the present invention is clearly beneficial to grocery bags, it is also beneficial to similar types of bags used for other applications. Accordingly, it is disclosed herein that bags in accordance with embodiments of the present invention are not limited to use as grocery bags.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a bag comprises a body including a bottom wall and two pair of opposing sidewalls. The walls are made from at least one of a fabric material and a polymeric sheet material. The sidewalls and the bottom wall are interconnected to form a grocery receiving cavity having a closed bottom end portion and an open top end portion. Generally straight edge creases each define at least one of an edge of the body extending from the closed bottom end portion to the open top end portion between adjacent ones of the sidewalls and an edge of the body extending between the bottom wall and the sidewalls. A pleat crease extends from the closed bottom end portion to the open top end portion within a first pair of the opposing sidewalls such that skewed legs of the pleat crease extend from opposing corners of the respective one of the first pair of opposing sidewalls adjacent the closed bottom end portion and converge to an upwardly extending leg of the pleat crease. Handle holes are provided in a second pair of the opposing sidewalls adjacent the open top end.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a bag comprises a body including a bottom wall and two pair of opposing sidewalls. The walls are formed from a,common piece of woven fabric material. The sidewalls and the bottom wall are interconnected to form a grocery receiving cavity having a closed bottom end portion and an open top end portion. Sewn-in generally straight edge creases each define at least one of an edge of the body extending from the closed bottom end portion to the open top end portion between adjacent ones of the sidewalls and an edge of the body extending between the bottom wall and the sidewalls. A sewn-in pleat crease extends from the closed bottom end portion to the open top end portion within a first pair of the opposing sidewalls such that skewed legs of the pleat crease extend from opposing corners of the respective one of the first pair of opposing sidewalls adjacent the closed bottom end portion and converge to an upwardly extending leg of the pleat crease. Handle holes are provided in a second pair of the opposing sidewalls adjacent the open top end.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a bag system comprises a plurality of foldable grocery bags and a tote bag having all of the foldable grocery bags contained within a cavity of the tote bag. Each one of the foldable grocery bags has a body including a bottom wall and two pair of opposing sidewalls. The walls are all made from at least one of a fabric material and a polymeric sheet material. The sidewalls and the bottom wall of a respective one of the bags are interconnected to form a grocery receiving cavity having a closed bottom end portion and an open top end portion. Generally straight edge creases of a respective one of the bags each define at least one of an edge of the body extending from the closed bottom end portion to the open top end portion between adjacent ones of the sidewalls and an edge of the body extending between the bottom wall and the sidewalls. A pleat crease of a respective one of the bags extends from the closed bottom end portion to the open top end portion within a first pair of the opposing sidewalls such that skewed legs of the pleat crease extend from opposing corners of the respective one of the first pair of opposing sidewalls adjacent the closed bottom end portion and converge to an upwardly extending leg of the pleat crease. Handle holes are provided in a second pair of the opposing sidewalls of a respective one of the bags adjacent the open top end thereof. The tote bag is made from at least one of a fabric material and a polymeric sheet material.

These and other objects, embodiments, advantages and/or distinctions of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification, associated drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a grocery bag system in accordance with the present invention, which includes a plurality of reusable grocery bags contained within a reusable tote bag.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional illustrating an outer wall of the tote bag of the FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows one of the reusable grocery bag of FIG. 1 in a fully unfolded configuration.

FIG. 4 shows one of the reusable grocery bag of FIG. 1 in a partially collapsed configuration.

FIG. 5 shows one of the reusable grocery bag of FIG. 1 in a fully folded configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

Generally, a reusable grocery bag system in accordance with the present invention includes a plurality of reusable grocery bags contained within a tote bag. The tote bag can be specifically configured for being attached to a shopping cart. The reusable grocery bags themselves are preferably, but not necessarily, about the same dimension as a conventional disposable grocery bag. In contrast to conventional disposable grocery bags, a reusable grocery bag in accordance with the present invention is made from a durable material such as woven fabric or polymeric sheet material, includes creases that are configured for allowing the bag to be folding in the same manner as a conventional paper grocery bag, and includes handle holes in a top of the bag (i.e., as opposed to cumbersome straps). In one embodiment, the woven fabric or polymeric sheet material includes a durable and washable/wipeable polymeric material such as, for example, a material made from polypropylene, polyester, nylon, poly vinyl chloride or the like. The handle holes offer a convenient means for grabbing multiple bags at once, similar to conventional disposable plastic bags, which makes it easy to load and unload the filled bags. The tote bag is preferably configured for being securely attached to a shopping cart for easy access and use by a grocery store bagger. Furthermore, the tote bag can be specifically configured to serve as a grocery bag itself such as, for example, heavy items, large items, frozen items. The entire grocery bag system preferably conforms to interior and/or exterior dimensions of a grocery cart so that there are no components of such system that get in the way while in use or while stored in the tote bag.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a reusable grocery bag system 100 includes a plurality of reusable grocery bags 102 and a tote bag 104 having all of the reusable grocery bags 102 contained within a cavity 106 thereof. The cavity 106 of the tote bag 104 is defined by a plurality of integral sidewalls 108 and a bottom wall 110 of the tote bag 104. A handle hole 112 (one shown) is provided in each sidewall 108 of a first pair of opposing sidewalls of the tote bag 104 and a strap 114 is attached between each sidewall 108 of a second pair of opposing sidewalls of the tote bag 104. Opposing end portions of the strap 114 can be configured to be selectively removable from the tote bag 104. It is disclosed herein that, in at least one embodiment of a grocery bag in accordance with the present invention, the handle holes 112 and/or the straps 114 can be omitted.

The tote bag 104 further includes a manually operable attachment device 116 (one shown) attached to each sidewall of the second pair of opposing sidewalls of the tote bag 104. The manually operable attachment device 116 is configured for allowing the tote bag 104 to be securely attached to a support structure such as, for example, a grocery shopping cart. The manually operable attachment device 116 is not limited to a particular type or configuration of attachment device. Examples of such type or configuration of suitable attachment devices include, but are not limited to, a clip, a clasp, a snap, a hook & loop fastener, etc.

The strap 114 of the tote bag 104 can be detachably attached to the sidewalls of the tote bag 104 via a metal ring that is engaged with a reinforced grommet hole in the respective sidewall. Each metal ring can also have one of the attachment devices 116 attached thereto. In this manner, the strap provides a convenient means for carrying the tote bag 104 and the attachment device 116 provide a convenient means for allowing the tote bag 104 to be securely attached to a shopping cart.

In at least one embodiment, the tote bag 104 is made from a fabric material and/or a polymeric sheet material. As shown in FIG. 2, in one specific embodiment, the sidewalls 108 and bottom wall 110 of the tote bag 104 are each made from a multi-layer material. A first layer 118 of the multi-layer material is a woven fabric or polymeric sheet material layer and a second layer 120 is an insulating material layer that exhibits substantially greater insulating properties than the first layer 118. Optionally, the second layer can be sandwiched between the first layer 118 and a third layer 122. The third layer can be made from the same material or a different material as the first layer 118 (e.g., a radiant heat shielding material). It is disclosed herein that all or a portion of the walls of the reusable grocery bags 102 can be made from the same or a different multi-layer material as the tote bag.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-5, each reusable grocery bag 102 has a body 124 including a bottom wall 126, a first pair of opposing sidewalls 128 and a second pair of opposing sidewalls 130. Preferably, the walls 126, 128, 130 are all made from a fabric material and/or a polymeric sheet material. The sidewalls 128, 130 are interconnected to form a grocery receiving cavity 132 having a closed bottom end portion 134 and an open top end portion 136. Generally straight edge creases 138 each define an edge of the body 124 extending from the closed bottom end portion 134 to the open top end portion 136 between adjacent one of the sidewalls and/or define an edge of the body 124 extending between the bottom wall 126 and an attached one of the sidewalls 128, 130.

As best shown in FIG. 3, a pleat crease 140 extends from the closed bottom end portion 134 to the open top end portion 136 within the first pair of opposing sidewalls 128 such that skewed leg portions 142 of the pleat crease 140 extend from opposing corners of the respective sidewall 128 adjacent the closed bottom end portion 134 and converge to an upwardly extending leg 144 of the pleat crease 140. As with a conventional folding paper grocery bag, the edge creases 138 and the pleat creases 140 allow the bag to be folded from a fully unfolded configuration (i.e., shown in FIG. 3) to a fully folded configuration (shown in FIG. 5). As shown in FIG. 4, the pleat creases 140 provide for controlled collapsing of the sidewalls 128, which thereby permit such fully folded configuration to be achieved. To further support such fully folded configuration to be achieved, a first transverse pleat crease 146 and a second transverse crease 148 can be provided in the body 124. The first transverse crease 146 extends laterally across at least one wall of the second pair of opposing sidewalls 130 at a location approximately mid-way between the closed bottom end portion 134 and the open top end portion 136. The second transverse pleat crease 148 extends laterally across at least one wall of the second pair of opposing sidewalls 130 at a location approximately mid-way between the closed bottom end portion 134 and the first transverse pleat crease 146.

All or a portion of the creases 138, 140, 146 and 148 can be made by any number of different approaches. Examples of such approaches include, but are not limited to, mechanically-formed impression, thermal impression, and the like. A preferred approach by which such creases 138, 140, 146 and 148 can be made is by sewing in such creases. More specifically, sewn-in creases are formed by forming a sewn discontinuity that provides a preferential line about which a fold occurs.

A handle hole 150 is provided in each sidewall of a second pair of opposing sidewalls 130 of the reusable grocery bag 102. A strap 152 is attached between each sidewall 108 of a second pair of opposing sidewalls 130 of the reusable grocery bag 102. Opposing end portions of the strap 152 have a respective one of the handle holes 150 positioned therebetween. It is disclosed herein that, in at least one embodiment of a grocery bag in accordance with the present invention, the handle holes 150 and/or the straps 152 can be omitted.

In a preferred embodiment, each reusable grocery bag 104 is configured such that it is approximately the same dimensions as a standard size grocery bag, but it would be about 3 inches shorter (e.g., 12″ wide×7″ deep×14″ tall) so that, when folded, it naturally folds essentially in half (i.e., 7″ segments), making it much more efficiently stored when not in use. To this end, the creases can be formed to promote folding of the reusable grocery bag 104 in half. A standard size grocery bag has measurements of about 12″ wide×7″ deep×17″ tall, which result in it not folding essentially in half when folded down (i.e., one end is sticking out beyond the rest of the folded down bag).

It is disclosed herein that the tote bag 104 can have an open upper end portion that is configured for being selectively secured in a closed orientation. In such an implementation an overall height of the tote bag 104 is greater than a corresponding folded size of the reusable grocery bags intended to be contained therein. Tote bags in accordance with the present invention are not limited to any particular means for having an open upper end portion thereof being selectively secured in a closed orientation. Examples of such means include, but are not limited to, a zipper, hook & loop fastener, snaps, button and the like. Optionally and/or additionally, the tote bag 104 can include a drawstring at an open top end portion thereof for allowing the open top end portion of the tote bag 104 to be selectively opened and closed.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice embodiments of the present invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, chemical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of such inventive disclosures. To avoid unnecessary detail, the description omits certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

1. A bag, comprising: a body including a bottom wall and two pair of opposing sidewalls; wherein said walls are made from at least one of a fabric material and a polymeric sheet material; wherein said sidewalls and the bottom wall are interconnected to form a grocery receiving cavity having a closed bottom end portion and an open top end portion; wherein generally straight edge creases each define at least one of an edge of the body extending from the closed bottom end portion to the open top end portion between adjacent ones of said sidewalls and an edge of the body extending between the bottom wall and said sidewalls; wherein a pleat crease extends from the closed bottom end portion to the open top end portion within a first pair of said opposing sidewalls such that skewed legs of the pleat crease extend from opposing corners of the respective one of the first pair of opposing sidewalls adjacent the closed bottom end portion and converge to an upwardly extending leg of the pleat crease; and wherein handle holes are provided in a second pair of said opposing sidewalls adjacent the open top end portion.
 2. The bag of claim 1 wherein: a first transverse pleat crease extends laterally across at least one of said opposing sidewalls of the second pair at a location approximately mid-way between the closed bottom end portion and the open top end portion; and a second transverse pleat crease extends laterally across at least one of said opposing sidewalls of the second pair at a location approximately mid-way between the closed bottom end portion and the first transverse pleat crease.
 3. The bag of claim 2 wherein said walls are all made from a woven fabric material.
 4. The bag of claim 3 wherein all of said creases are sewn-in creases.
 5. The bag of claim 4, further comprising: a plurality of straps, wherein a first one of said straps has opposing end portions thereof attached to a first wall of said second pair of opposing sidewalls, wherein a second one of said straps has opposing end portions thereof attached to a second wall of said second pair of opposing sidewalls, wherein said opposing end portions of each one of said straps has the handle hole of the respective sidewall positioned therebetween.
 6. The bag of claim 1 wherein all of said creases are sewn-in creases.
 7. The bag of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of straps, wherein a first one of said straps has opposing end portions thereof attached to a first wall of said second pair of opposing sidewalls, wherein a second one of said straps has opposing end portions thereof attached to a second wall of said second pair of opposing sidewalls, wherein said opposing end portions of each one of said straps has the handle hole of the respective sidewall positioned therebetween.
 8. A bag, comprising: a body including a bottom wall and two pair of opposing sidewalls; wherein said walls are formed from a piece of woven fabric material; wherein said sidewalls and the bottom wall are interconnected to form a grocery receiving cavity having a closed bottom end portion and an open top end portion; wherein sewn-in generally straight edge creases each define at least one of an edge of the body extending from the closed bottom end portion to the open top end portion between adjacent ones of said sidewalls and an edge of the body extending between the bottom wall and said sidewalls; wherein a sewn-in pleat crease extends from the closed bottom end portion to the open top end portion within a first pair of said opposing sidewalls such that skewed legs of the pleat crease extend from opposing corners of the respective one of the first pair of opposing sidewalls adjacent the closed bottom end portion and converge to an upwardly extending leg of the pleat crease; and wherein handle holes are provided in a second pair of said opposing sidewalls adjacent the open top end portion.
 9. The bag of claim 8 wherein: a first transverse sewn-in pleat crease extends laterally across at least one of said opposing sidewalls of the second pair at a location approximately mid-way between the closed bottom end portion and the open top end portion; and a second transverse sewn-in pleat crease extends laterally across at least one of said opposing sidewalls of the second pair at a location approximately mid-way between the closed bottom end portion and the first transverse pleat crease.
 10. The bag of claim 9 wherein said walls are all made from a woven fabric material.
 11. The bag of claim 10, further comprising: a plurality of straps, wherein a first one of said straps has opposing end portions thereof attached to a first wall of said second pair of opposing sidewalls, wherein a second one of said straps has opposing end portions thereof attached to a second wall of said second pair of opposing sidewalls, wherein said opposing end portions of each one of said straps has the handle hole of the respective sidewall positioned therebetween.
 12. The bag of claim 8, further comprising: a spaced apart pair of attachment structures integral with each one of said opposing sidewalls of the second pair, wherein said pair of attachment structures of each one of said opposing sidewalls of the second pair have the handle hole thereof positioned between said pair of attachment structures; and a strap attached between each pair of said attachment structures.
 13. A bag system, comprising: a plurality of foldable grocery bags each having a body including a bottom wall and two pair of opposing sidewalls, wherein said walls are all made from at least one of a fabric material and a polymeric sheet material, wherein said sidewalls and the bottom wall of a respective one of said bags are interconnected to form a grocery receiving cavity having a closed bottom end portion and an open top end portion, wherein generally straight edge creases of a respective one of said bags each define at least one of an edge of the body extending from the closed bottom end portion to the open top end portion between adjacent ones of said sidewalls and an edge of the body extending between the bottom wall and said sidewalls, wherein a pleat crease of a respective one of said bags extends from the closed bottom end portion to the open top end portion within a first pair of said opposing sidewalls such that skewed legs of the pleat crease extend from opposing corners of the respective one of the first pair of opposing sidewalls adjacent the closed bottom end portion and converge to an upwardly extending leg of the pleat crease, and wherein handle holes are provided in a second pair of said opposing sidewalls of a respective one of said bags adjacent the open top end portion thereof; and a tote bag having all of said foldable grocery bags contained within a cavity thereof, wherein the tote bag is made from at least one of a fabric material and a polymeric sheet material and wherein the tote bag includes at least one manually operable attachment device configured for allowing the tote bag to be securely attached to a support structure.
 14. The bag system of claim 13 wherein: said walls of the tote bag are all made from a multi-layer material; a first layer of the multi-layer material is a woven fabric material layer; and a second layer of the multi-layer material is an insulating material layer that exhibits substantially greater insulating properties than the woven fabric material layer.
 15. The bag system of claim 14 wherein: a first transverse pleat crease extends laterally across at least one of said grocery bag opposing sidewalls of the second pair at a location approximately mid-way between the closed bottom end portion and the open top end portion; and a second transverse pleat crease extends laterally across at least one of said grocery bag opposing sidewalls of the second pair at a location approximately mid-way between the closed bottom end portion and the first transverse pleat crease.
 16. The bag system of claim 15 wherein all of said creases are sewn-in creases.
 17. The bag system of claim 16 wherein: each one of said foldable grocery bags includes a plurality of straps; a first one of said straps has opposing end portions thereof attached to a first wall of said second pair of opposing sidewalls; a second one of said straps has opposing end portions thereof attached to a second wall of said second pair of opposing sidewalls; and said opposing end portions of each one of said straps has the handle hole of the respective sidewall positioned therebetween.
 18. The bag system of claim 18 wherein: the tote bag includes two manually operable attachment devices configured for allowing the tote bag to be securely attached to a support structure; the tote bag includes a first pair of opposing sidewalls and a second pair of opposing sidewalls and a bottom wall; a first one of said attachment devices is attached to a first sidewall of said first pair of tote bag opposing sidewalls; and a second one of said attachment devices is attached to a second sidewall of the first pair of said tote bag opposing walls.
 19. The bag system of claim 13 wherein: a first transverse pleat crease extends laterally across at least one wall of said second pair of grocery bag opposing sidewalls at a location approximately mid-way between the closed bottom end portion and the open top end portion; and a second transverse pleat crease extends laterally across at least one wall of said second pair of grocery bag opposing sidewalls at a location approximately mid-way between the closed bottom end portion and the first transverse pleat crease.
 20. The bag system of claim 19 wherein all of said creases are sewn-in creases. 